The man behind “The Miley”? The Los Angeles stylist Chris McMillan — his mane claim to fame (couldn’t resist the pun here) is snipping Jennifer Aniston’s famous locks, including “the Rachel” — who was in town for a press event for Living Proof. (He’s the celebrity stylist for the hair care line, while Ms. Aniston is an owner.) On a recent afternoon, we discussed pixies over brownies.">

The man behind “The Miley”? The Los Angeles stylist Chris McMillan — his mane claim to fame (couldn’t resist the pun here) is snipping Jennifer Aniston’s famous locks, including “the Rachel” — who was in town for a press event for Living Proof. (He’s the celebrity stylist for the hair care line, while Ms. Aniston is an owner.) On a recent afternoon, we discussed pixies over brownies.

Q.

Where did “The Miley” cut come from?

A.

I was styling Miley for a Marie Claire cover and she kind of had the Chop — a bob, really. The color, though, needed a fix. I guess she had colored her hair on a whim from a drugstore box color. So I sent my assistant out to Duane Reade to get a frost and tip kit, which was really just painting on bleach. I’m not really a colorist, but she loved, loved her hair and she called a week later to color her hair. We did it again in two weeks. She said “My fiancé loves it, let’s do it again.” She started going blonder and I started cutting shorter. Finally, I told her, “You should cut it like a boy: you’re adorable, you’re young, you work out, hair grows!”

Q.

What were your references for the cut she has now?

A.

I showed her all these images of Kate Moss, when she had the short hair, Agyness Deyn and Mia Farrow. It was all very rock and roll… It was very fitting.

Q.

Who else has a great short cut?

A.

Charlize was my favorite at the Oscars. It was so beautiful. She looked modern and appropriate.

Q.

Short cuts seem unforgiving though. Do you have to look like Charlize to make it work?

A.

This is what I say about short hair: it’s for everybody. Almost all guys have short hair, no matter what they look like. I’ve done it on extremely heavy women, very thin women. I’ve done it on big faces, small faces. The key is that it’s a boy haircut on a girl. So you give it a softer neckline and softer sideburn or a longer fringe. I especially love the James Dean and adding a floppy bang can make it look more feminine.

Q.

But how about someone like Jennifer, who has a famous head of hair?

A.

Jennifer looks at those short cuts and admires them and wants to do it. Don’t think one day she might not appear with short hair! Who knows, it might be for a role.

Q.

Now you’re teasing.

A.

I’m very manipulative when it comes to cutting shorter, too. I’ll lean over the chair and tell my girls, “Get rid of all that old energy!”

This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.

PHOTOS: Miley Cyrus, seated at center above, along with Robin Wright, far left, and Anne Hathaway have the trendsetting cuts for spring. (PHOTOGRAPHS BY LARRY BUSACCA/GETTY IMAGES; PATRICK HARBRON FOR NETFLIX; JOSH HANER/THE NEW YORK TIMES)

The man behind “The Miley”? The Los Angeles stylist Chris McMillan — his mane claim to fame (couldn’t resist the pun here) is snipping Jennifer Aniston’s famous locks, including “the Rachel” — who was in town for a press event for Living Proof. (He’s the celebrity stylist for the hair care line, while Ms. Aniston is an owner.) On a recent afternoon, we discussed pixies over brownies.">